Parenting

We are just weeks away from the new school year here at the Jersey Shore. Hopes are it will be a school year that is more “usual” than last year as we continue to deal with the Coronavirus Pandemic. I hope it will be less challenging for students, parents and teachers.

You can feel it in the air...every year as we get closer to fall and our kids get ready to go back to school, there is an energy of preparation, nerves, excitement and of course glowing-white back to school sneakers. This year there's more, there is a heaviness hanging over us as we wait for an announcement that will spark much controversy. Gov. Phil Murphy is expected to announce a mandate which will enforce all New Jersey teachers getting vaccinated against COVID-19 before returning to school.

It seems like this project has taken a long time to get underway in Brick Township, but like a lot of things during the Coronavirus Pandemic it has been a slow go for development….including right here in Ocean County.

I can't thank God enough for the protection we were given in the very final seconds of what could have been the most tragic thing to ever happen in our family. I was driving home from the beach with by 16 year old daughter, Bella, in the passenger's seat. It was a wonderful family day of swimming that wore her out so she was sleeping peacefully as I drove home. What came next was the loudest bang we have ever heard and if you ask me, it was also the sound of angels putting themselves in front of my daughter and a giant hunk of flying metal.

First let me say that my kids are grown and out of school, so for me, there is no agenda when it comes to "back to school" this is merely my observation and asking questions that I see others saying to themselves and friends.

I get why officials are trying to avoid making this decision...I do! But I think the overall priority outweighs everything else.

Ummm...you may want to get your kid a job application for Walmart A.S.A.P! This week Walmart unveiled new terms to their educational assistance program and it was HUGE. Effective on this August 16th associates of Walmart and Sam's Club will no longer have to pay to participate in the education program AND Walmart promises to pay 100% of college tuition and book costs!!!!!!!!!!!

We are just a few weeks away from a new school year here at the Jersey Shore as classes resume in September. Question is, what kind of school year will it be? Will kids be in class? will they be masked? will you opt for homeschooling?

LOCAL HERO ALERT! Can you imagine how terrified you would be as a parent to know that your child is buckled into their car seat on a 90 degree day and you just locked your keys inside? That happened to a mom on River Road and thankfully Patrolman Mellott of the Island Heights Police Department was not far away. As if saving a child was not enough wait until you hear what he did next...

I was looking into fun ocean alternatives for my kids and in laws coming to visit and stumbled on this super cool waterpark in Monmouth County! Maybe you're looking for something to mix up the fun so I wanted to share! Runaway Rapids Water Park looks like a great way to spend a hot summer day for adults AND kids! I'm ready to feel like a kid again...LET'S GO!

So we finally have an answer about what our kids' school year will look like in the fall. It turns out that students in New Jersey schools will not be required to wear masks inside. Of course the individual district can still mandate mask-wearing for the 2021-22 academic year so check with your school to see what their policy is. So how does this make you feel? Are you relieved? Does this make you want to continue home school? As a mom, I do have one concern after this announcement though...

Have you ever felt like you were outside of your body when a jarring experience was happening to you? Almost like you were so taken off guard that you feel like it's happening to someone else entirely? That's how I felt this weekend when a total stranger shamed me right in front of my daughter. I was stunned but left wondering if the woman who shamed me had a point.